I am considering buying a new pin.  The games I have been looking at are IM, TDK, and SM.  Any comments, suggestions are welcome.  I enjoy flow and stop and go games so that is not a factor.  I would like a game that would compliment my current collection.     I have done a bunch of research already but I would like to hear from people who own these pins (or played them extensively).

you need flow. Go with IM.

My first reaction is to immediately tell you SM, as I own it and with the latest software, it is one of my favorite pins. Other than the animations which are lacking, the pin has good flow, many modes and it keeps me coming back.

In regards to IM and TDK, only played a few games on each, so my opinion is limited to saying they are OK. Neither on first impression make me want to own one.    

I've played all three extensively. Spiderman, by far, is the best of the three and the one I would recomment.

Spiderman is an exceptional game and is considered by many to be an "A" game. Prices on the game continue to climb -- for good reason, it's awesome. I finally gave up and bought NIB. Very happy with the game. Awesome game that will nicely compliment your collection. The game has incredible flow, great rules, and depth. Not an easy game to completely master. To make the game a bit more challenging, I suggest changing the setting for Black Suite MB to hard. That really increases the challenge. I love the call outs by the actor who played J. Johan Jamson, really adds to the overall experience.

I love Ironman and seriously considered buying one instead of Spidy. It's an excellent game and I haven't seen any for sale on rgp which speaks volumes. Normally there are a few folks that have regrets and you will often see HUO games coming up for sale immediately after they are released. Not the case with IM. It has incredible flow and is extremely challenging even on default settings. If you want a game that will kick your butt, this is it.

I've played more TDK and I find myself enjoying the game. It is fun to play and I am starting to really like the crane. I do find it too easy, though, and think I would personally tire of it in a home environment. The modes, even after the update, seem shallow and starting the MBs is rather easy -- even on harder settings (I think ME increased the difficulty in the settings on TDK game and the outlanes are fully open). If you want a fun game that is easy and, I think, would be enjoyed by your guests this may be for you.

At the end of the day, I think you could get any of the titles and be happy. My order would be:

1. Spidy
2. Iron Man
3. Dark Knight

Duane

I'd say:
1) SM
.
.
2) TDK
3) IM

I just don't see what everyone else sees in IM. But if you compare either to SM they both pale in comparison. I'm convinced that SM is Stern's best ever, and am thinking it may be better than any other DMD too (yes, better than TZ and MM!). I've had it for over a month now, and I think the honeymoon period should be over by now, but I still keep playing it multiple times daily. It just gets better and better over time.

Quoted from jonny_eh

But if you compare either to SM they both pale in comparison. I'm convinced that SM is Stern's best ever, and am thinking it may be better than any other DMD too (yes, better than TZ and MM!). I've had it for over a month now, and I think the honeymoon period should be over by now, but I still keep playing it multiple times daily. It just gets better and better over time.

I think I may have to agree....I've really put some time on it and it is currently getting far more plays than anything else.  The whole family is logging a lot of time on it, well past the 'honeymoon' period.  Not the hardest game (like TSPP or LOTR) but just fun.  Very well put together.

Quoted from Monkeybug

I think I may have to agree....I've really put some time on it and it is currently getting far more plays than anything else.  The whole family is logging a lot of time on it, well past the 'honeymoon' period.  Not the hardest game (like TSPP or LOTR) but just fun.  Very well put together.

Depends on how you define "hard". I find ball times to be shorter on SM than LOTR. Getting to Superhero on SM is way more doable than getting to Valinor on LOTR though, and I like that. If find it's the perfect difficulty in that sense. Overloading a game with modes and mutliballs like LOTR does, does not make it a better game, IMHO. I find that SM strikes the right balance between being deep but not overdone.

1=SM
2=TDK (outlanes at middle setting, not wide open )
3=IM

Quoted from Pharoah007

2=TDK (outlanes at middle setting, not wide open )

Ahhh, you are right. I suggested she open it completely up. Ball times are very long on TDK.

Quoted from jonny_eh

Depends on how you define "hard". I find ball times to be shorter on SM than LOTR.

I'm finding the same. I find the ball much easier to control on LOTR. With SM, it is pretty easy to hit a post or blue thingy and have the ball screaming back at you. Currently I have black rubber on the post between the flippers -- this is how it shipped. I think I will change it, like ME did, to white rubber to make it a little more forgiving. I'm amazed at the left drain, balls just seem to go there magnetically. Very cool game!

Duane

Quoted from jonny_eh

Depends on how you define "hard".

I should have used the term "deep" as in a deeper rule set.

I am loving my SM.  I have to say I like it more then IM but that might be bacuse IM kicks my butt on a reguler basis  . LOTR ball times are longer then SM.TDK, I only played and it seems like a great game.  How I would rate it.

SM
IM
TDK

LOTR would be second if I included it.

Lance